Podcasting: a shortcut to getting more readers (Part I)

If you want to promote your stories and increase your readership – not to mention look good to your boss – being a podcast guest is for you.  It’s an ideal way for people to know that you’re there, that you have the expertise, and that they need to look for your work. 

Odds are you’re probably already familiar with podcasting, but did you know where the name came from? The word “podcast” came from combining the syllable, “pod” from the old Apple iPod, with  “cast”  from the broadcast.    

The medium is enormous and the reach transformative. According to PodCastHosting.org, there are 1,750,000 podcasts as of January 2021.

Why Would You Want to Be a Part of It?

The advantages for you of being a podcast guest include:

• The host expects you to publicize your work. In return for your providing, say, a half-hour of engaging and useful content, the host will typically end the podcast by inviting you to tell the audience where to go to find more of your work.

• Being a podcast guest is free.

• It will broaden the audience for your work.

• It adds to your credibility. Podcast hosts have already built up trust with their audiences, and the fact that they’ve invited you to be a guest is an endorsement of you and your knowledge.   

• It positions you as an authority in your niche

How Do You Become a Podcast Guest?

It’s surprisingly easy, as long as you’re willing to start small. Podcasters who are not yet widely known are on the lookout for new guests, and if you have a good story to promote, they want you.

An easy way to find the smaller podcasters is to go to Podcasts.Apple.com.  Search for podcasters in your area of expertise and then, if you want to get an easy “yes,” to your pitch email, pick podcasters who don’t yet have many followers or haven’t done many podcasts.

Practice with the smaller podcasters. The more I do it, the better you’ll be.

How Do You Become Good at It?

Podcasting provides you with a different approach to using the tools of your trade, that is, words.  For the spoken word, pay attention to tone, forcefulness, volume, color, energy, inflection, dramatic pauses, accents.  When you’re “painting” with the spoken word, you are using a different palette.

Another thing: You may have heard that what’s important is to be yourself, and that’s true.  Paradoxically, it usually takes time and practice to be comfortable enough to truly be yourself.

What Equipment Do You Need?

Mario Fachini hosts one of the top 100 entrepreneurship podcasts. In his view, it’s nice to have dedicated podcasting equipment, such as a professional microphone, camera, and lighting. “However,” as he points out, “The reality is, if you have access to a smartphone or laptop, you can reach anyone you want in the world.”

He adds, “If you don’t have high-end equipment and it’s going to be audio only, use your smartphone, and the Ringr App.  You can record anywhere in the world, and have it sound like you’re in the same room.”

Ringr works by having you and your podcast host each call and Ringr simultaneously records audio on your phone and your host’s phone. By linking both audio streams together, the audio is outstanding.

Next week, let’s take a look at pitch letters to podcasters and how to be the kind of guest the podcasters are hoping for.

* Mitzi Perdue is the founder of WinThisFight.org and author of 52 Tips to Combat Human Trafficking.  Contact her at www.MitziPerdue.com